Transgender singer breaking new ground on First Nations

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/transgender-singer-breaking-new-ground-on-first-nations-1.3182204

CBC/By Jillian Taylor, CBC News Posted: Aug 07, 2015 4:15 AM CT| Last Updated: Aug 07, 2015 4:15 AM CT

"Aalayna Spence is singing in Treaty Days talent competitions across the north this month. She says at first she wasn't allowed to compete because she is transgender.

"I called and they said no," explained the 21-year-old. "They asked me, 'What does it say on your ID?' I said for the time being, male. They said, 'We can't have you singing in the female category.'"

Spence said she was devastated by the decision.

"I essentially felt that I was being denied my right to sing and sing where I felt comfortable."